East African spelling bee grand finale will take place in Kampala Uganda, on December 9 ending the region championships aimed at improving children’s reading and knowledge of English.The event which will take place at MTN Arena Lugogo will host the best spellers from six countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Africa who will tussle to spell a broad selection of English words with a varying degree of difficulty at each stage.

Monitor Publications Brand MangerMs Elizabeth Namaganda said that MPL believes in raising children to great heights through Rainbow Magazine that’s why they decided to be part of this educative initiative.“We aim at improving children’s reading culture, building their vocabulary and articulation of words. We also encourage children to stay in school longer through incorporating fun in learning among others,” Namaganda said.She said that the project has been running for four years now and each year the project adopts new themes and concepts from amazing partnership with different organization and companies.The competition, targets children aged between 8-15 years from public, Private and Special Needs Schools with a theme; “Appreciating the East African Culture through promotion to literacy.”Dr Anthony Wekesa, Director PEPEA Africa one of the main sponsors, said that the competition aims at improving the reading culture in east African among the children.“The reading culture was not effective especially in Uganda that’s why we came up with spelling bee competition and this has helped children to improve their grammar skills,” Wekesa said.He said that each country under goes a series of training and competitions right from the regional level and finally the East Africa level where by each country presents its top spellers to battle out for the East Africa championship title.“Lots of prizes a waits the winners and this year’s grand prizes to the top three is an all- expense paid one week trip to Dubai courtesy of Ethiopian airlines and PEPEA African Initiative,” Wekesa said.The project is sponsored by Monitor Publication, PEPEA Africa Initiative, Rainbow Magazine, KFM, NTV, Capital outdoor, Modern coast, Bajjo marketing agency, Ethiopian Airways, Mbidde foundation, Innophine hotel ltd, and Café javas.The Chief Guest will be the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga. Delegates from the ministry of education and sports, East African Legislative Assembly and Miss Tourism will be in attendance.